2004 Gibson's Australian Old Vine Collection Grenache - Museum Release

Rob Gibson is Australia’s foremost viticulturist, having been responsible for assisting growers in nurturing vineyards whose grapes are destined for Penfold's Grange. His habit of looking over fences into the backyards of Barossa residents, seeking out remnants of old vineyards led to his discovery of the Langmeil Vineyard which at 155 years old, is regarded as the oldest in Australia. Yielding miniscule crops, often of less than 2 tonnes per acre, Australia is indeed fortunate in that there are a number of 'Grandfather' vineyards still bearing fruit. But what special quality of these vines bestows greatness upon a wine? Research indicates that the extraordinary quality of wines produced from old vines begins in their root system: Old age has seemingly conferred a natural wisdom upon such vines and they possess an extensive network of deeply penetrating roots that are able to withstand moisture stress. In fact the grandfather vines are never stressed, they merely experience a variation of moisture tension in the various layers of strata through which their roots penetrate. It is this water tension that influences the leaf development of the vine and the subsequent evolution of unique flavour compounds in the grapes. The result is a marvel for the International wine community – wines of unmistakable character and complexity that cannot be found in wines of younger origin. With great age, only the healthiest vines have survived, to provide a summation of times past, as well as a window into the future. The rare attributes of these vines mean the wines produced from them are amongst the worlds great drinking experiences, possessing super fine tannins even when young, yet with an ability to age.

Tasting notes: Deep very dark brick red colour with a tawny brick red hue. Lifted stewed fruit top notes are in mixed in with some liquorice, leather, earthy vanillin oak and spice. Medium to full bodied with good richness, although with a stewy overtone, the fruit is drying out and the tertiary characters of leather and earthy vanillin cedar are moving in. Spicy finish with velvety tannins. Aftertaste of stewed fruits, liquorice, leather, earth and spicy vanillin oak. Past its prime. Drink up.
Alc 14.5%

Re-tasted November 2015:
Opaque very dark red black colour with a very dark red hue. Perfumed aromas of ripe dark raspberries, liquorice and dark chocolate are intermixed with some earthy vanillin oak characters, leather and spice. Full bodied the palate still possesses rich lavishly textured fruit flavours of liquorice, ripe dark raspberries and dark plums over some vanillin oak with traces of leather and earth beginning to emerge over the spicy finish. Round voluptuous mouthfeel with silky smooth tannins. Excellent length with a long aftertaste of spicy ripe dark raspberries, dark plum, liquorice, vanillin oak and earthy leather.
Drink now.
Alc. 14.5%
96 points 

Re-tasted February 2011:
Excellent colour depth for Grenache – opaque black dark red colour with deep dark red hue. Aromas of black raspberry, dark plum and liquorice bullets followed by some confectionary end notes. Displaying excellent weight and a voluptuous texture the palate delivers mouthfilling flavours of liquorice allsorts, dark chocolate and ripe raspberry followed by some spice on the back palate. Soft velvet smooth tannins with long aftertaste of dark raspberry, dark chocolate and spice.
Drink over the next 2-3 years (2011-2014)
Alc 14.5%
94 points

First Tasted July 2006:
Very deep crimson colour with deep mauve purple hue. The nose is concentrated and aromatic, with notes of raspberry jam, spice and liquorice emerging. Mouthfilling palate with a touch of dusty cocoa over liquorice, morello cherries and raspberry. Fine grained tannins – perfect balance. Very long aftertaste of raspberry, spice and liquorice.
Cellar 4-5 years (2010-2011)
Alc/Vol: 14.5%
96 points

Other Reviews…
Terrific fruit is a hallmark of the 2004 Grenache Old Vine Collection (a French and American oak-aged cuvee produced from 85-year-old vines). Kirsch liqueur, licorice, spice box, pepper, and roasted herb notes emerge from this big, full, exuberant, extroverted Australian version of a top-notch Chateauneuf du Pape. Enjoy it over the next 10-15 years.
93 points
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate #167 (Oct 2006)